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Based in part on protein structures determined at the National Synchrotron Light Source at the U.S. Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory, researchers said their peptides are sufficiently potent to begin pre-clinical studies as a potential new class of agents for the prevention and treatment of HIV and AIDS.

"Our 'D-peptides' offer several potential therapeutic advantages over existing peptide entry inhibitors, which are costly, require high dose injections, and suffer from the emergence of drug-resistance," said University of Utah biochemist Michael Kay, lead author of the study. "In contrast, our D-peptides resist degradation, so they have the potential to be administered by mouth and last longer in the bloodstream. Since these inhibitors have a unique inhibitory mechanism, they should work well in combination with existing HIV inhibitors."

The work appears in the early online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

I wonder if the german peptides that were talked about a couple of month ago were L or D peptides? I also wonder if D-amino acids have been extensively used in other treatments since they are not natural in the human body.. time to do some research!

I wonder if the german peptides that were talked about a couple of month ago were L or D peptides?

The german peptides (VIRIP) were L-peptides, they occur naturally in the human body. But because they're very small, they were only discovered recently. They possess an anti-HIV effect by binding to the viral fusion protein, thus preventing fusion with the host cell. The findings were published in Cell.

Now, the same mode of action is described for the Utah peptides above. While there are some natural occurring D-peptides (e.g. some bacteria use them to build cell walls), the ones mentioned above are synthetic. Because they're not as easily degraded as their mirror brothers, they have a higher potential as drugs.

Either way, using proteins as drugs to block virus entry is an interesting new concept. Hopefully, we'll see some studies how they behave in animals and humans.

I have not read all the details of this new potent peptide yet. But over last 16 months i have read a heck of alot on a bunch of naturally produced pro line rich poly peptides that the mother produces in the colostrum milk that we all learn is the first milk that helps start up a babies immune system. There are products, i have been taking a colostrum liquid, and imagine (no proof) that it helps the immune system, but then i have had many issues with my health even while taking the colostrum that makes me wonder if this does anything at all it does not stop my t cells from falling. But i am talking about colostrum and not this new potent peptide.

I first got amazed by aminos and proteins when 15 years ago i swam into a tenticle of a jelly fish in kialua bay oahuit was clear but there was some clouds on horizon and wind, and this thing must have had 20 ft long tenticles and one brushed against my bicep when i was swimming, well instantly the arm had a huge big swelling, about size of a finger where the tentical touched, what was in the jelly fish, only an amino acid, i thought these things must be frickin powerful to cause this reaction so so fast, my arm was deformed in a way and pain and swelling

D amino acids are NOT produced by in the human body. Proteins are made of amino acids, and jelly fish releases toxins that are proteins and enzymes made of amino acids, i'm not sure what you're trying to say here.